The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-16
GOVERNOR RoDwELL's LIFE.
Years of Industry Rewarded by De-
served Success.

James Robinson Bodwell was born in
Methuen, Mass, June IS, 1S18 His father
was farmer, and James, like many farmers
sons, was required at an early age to assist
in the work of the farm; also, like many
farmers sons his educational privileges were
exceedingly limited. His only school was
the farm; his teacher, hard labor. But in
practical life graduates from this humble
school often prove themselves vastly superior
10 college graduates. OF this class was the
graduate from that Methuen farm.
Early in life he displayed that self-reliance,
force of character, and marked individuality
which have characterized his whole life. In
the latter part of his youth there came an
While attending this schoel-feeling there
was need of filing his purse as well as his
head-he earned considerable money morn
ings and evenings by making shoes.
In 1888 he and his father purchased farm
In West Methuen, which they cultivated to-
gether till his fathers death. in 1S4S. About
this time the water-power Of the Merrimac
at Lawrence began to be utilized, and Mr..
Bodwell, whose ambition had long been urg-
ing him to seek wider and more lucrative
field of labor than the farm afforded, con-
cluded to begin there his search for fortune
He went there and engaged to haul granite
blocks Ito be used in constructing dam
from Pelham. N. III. While thus employed
he became familiar with the art of quarry
ing granite. AS his knowledge extended he
was convinced that this was the business for
him, and he determined 10 concentrate his
energies upon IT, -,
In 1852. in company with the late Hon.
Moses Webster. he began to work the quar-
ries on Fox Island, in Penobscot Bay. The
woke of oxen with which Mr.. Bodwell began
operations here driven ana shod by himself,
Prosperity attended him. In 1866 he went
with his family to Hallowen, and there he
has resided ever since. His object in
going to Hallowell was to reopen some gran
ite quarries which had been abandoned for
several years. The granite was of lighter
color and more delicate texture than that
found on the seacoast, and conse quently is
more desirable for monumental and artistic
purposes. In 1870 the HallOwell Granite
Company was formed, of which Mr.. Bodwell
has since been president.
Governor Bodwell did not give his atten-
tion wholly to the granite industry. He was
president Of the Bodwell Water Power Com
pany at Oldtown, corporation controlling
the largest water power In New England.
He also carried on numbering operations at
the headwaters of the kennebec River, and
was stockholder and promoter of several
railroad enterprises. But amid all these en-
terprises he still retained his love for agri-
cultural pursuits. He owned and cultivated
a large farm stocked with imported thor
oughbred cattle.
MT. bOuWcll tuplOJCu Ia al tu6St cuLeT-
prises large number of workmen. In his
treatment Of them he was very kind and
considerate; feeling which the workmen
fully appreciated and ,reciprocated. Gov
ernor Bodwell was in religious belief Uni
yersalist. and was an active worker in the
Universalist society at Hallowell. His do
mestc life was one of purity and sweetness
and his business was ever marked by the
strictest honor and integrity.
He twice represented his fellow-citizens in
the lower house OF the Maine Legislature.
For two terms he served as mayor Of Halo
well and was delegate-at- large to the Re-
publican National Convention in 1880 and
1884. He was elected Governor in 1886.